Downtown KM grill closes

Thursday

Oct 11, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 11, 2012 at 5:04 PM

Battleground Grill, which employed more than 20 people, had a sign posted on its door Thursday apologizing to patrons and encouraging them to take their business to another nearby restaurant, Cherokee Street Tavern.

Jessica Pickens

KINGS MOUNTAIN -- A steakhouse-style restaurant shut its doors downtown this week after just more than a year of business.

Battleground Grill, which employed more than 20 people, had a sign posted on its door Thursday apologizing to patrons and encouraging them to take their business to another nearby restaurant, Cherokee Street Tavern.

Battleground Grill, located in the old Plonk building on Railroad Avenue and formerly known as Battleground Steakhouse, was a casual, upscale restaurant that served steak, ribs and seafood.

“Our concept wasn’t the right fit for Kings Mountain so we are looking for another company to come in that is more family-oriented with a different price point,” said restaurant owner Nick LaVecchia.

Cleveland County Chamber Kings Mountain director Shirley Brutko said the restaurant closing is a disadvantage for downtown Kings Mountain.

“It’s really an unfortunate situation. Every day at lunchtime and in the evening the whole city block was full of cars with people eating there,” Brutko said. “People came all over the region to eat there.”

Mayor of Kings Mountain Rick Murphey is sorry to see the restaurant close.

“It was a great restaurant with good food and fellowship,” Murphey said. “It brought a lot of people to the downtown area and hopefully something else will open in it’s place.”

LaVecchia, also owner of Nick’s Steak and Taproom in Gastonia, is negotiating with three potential restaurant leasers.

“We had good support in Kings Mountain and still really enjoy the town,” LaVecchia said. “We are going in another direction and putting the building up for sale or lease and move forward.”

With the closing of the Battleground Grill, The Star asked its fans on Facebook which kinds of restaurants they’d like to see in the Kings Mountain area. To join the conversation, find The Shelby Star on Facebook and click “like.”